Parade of 1,000 Flags set for Saturday

In what has become a local symbol of patriotism and remembrance, Ridgecrest is setting the stage for its annual Parade of 1,000 Flags on Saturday.

Comment

By Jack BarnwellCITY EDITORjbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Ridgecrest Daily Independent - Ridgecrest, CA

By Jack BarnwellCITY EDITORjbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Sep. 4, 2013 at 1:13 PM

By Jack BarnwellCITY EDITORjbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Sep. 4, 2013 at 1:13 PM

In what has become a local symbol of patriotism and remembrance, Ridgecrest is setting the stage for its annual Parade of 1,000 Flags on Saturday.

Community members along with men and women in uniform will march side-by-side down the city's main boulevards, while bearing the national banner in pride.

For the sixth year in a row, the Ridgecrest Exchange Club is leading the organization of the group, coordinating the event in concert with Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake.

The parade is a community event honoring the memory of those who died during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, which sent hijacked planes into the Twin Towers in New York, sent another crashing into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and one other plane was brought down in a field in Pennsylvania.

Community and county leaders will march alongside firefighters, law enforcement, and Defense Department civilian and military personnel on Saturday. The parade's grand marshal will be Rear Adm. Mike Moran, the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division's new commanding officer.

"The mission of the base is to support our Sailors and Marines in harm's way," Lazar said in a statement on Wednesday. "Our military is constantly rooting out and engaging terrorism abroad, and has been since the Sept. 11, 2001 attack. That event, and our grief over the thousands of innocent American lives that were lost, is seared into our collective memory."

Lazar noted that U.S. troops continue to lay their lives on the line to fight terrorism in defense of America and that "the Parade of 1,000 Flags remembers those brave Americans who gave their lives that day and ever since in that struggle" occurred.

"We are extremely proud of our military and the DoD civilians who take part in this annual patriotic event," Lazar said. "We urge everyone who can to either participate or go watch as this community honors those who died that fateful day, those who have given their lives in this fight, and those who are still in harm's way abroad."

Marching Orders

Flagbearers and those marching in the parade will pre-stage at 8:30 a.m. near South Norma and Ridgecrest Boulevard.

Beginning promptly at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Norma Street and Ridgecrest Boulevard, flag bearers and parade participants are set to make their way from Ridgecrest Boulevard, on to China Lake Boulevard and up California Avenue to Freedom Park near Ridgecrest City Hall.

Following a five-year tradition, flagbearers will plant their flags in the grass of Freedom Park and will remain on display until Sept. 14 as people are greeted by bagpipe music played by musician Chris Carson.

According to an Exchange Club news release, the keynote speaker following the flag planting is U.S. Army veteran Rob Fortner from Bakersfield. Fortner served in the Afghanistan war, before returning to civilian life in 2011.

Page 2 of 3 - "When Rob Fortner returned to civilian life at 35 in 2011, he brought with him some of the military’s highest medals of honor," the Exchange Club notes. "The Silver Star was awarded to then-Sgt. Robert W. Fortner for extraordinary gallantry and exceptional heroism while serving as a medic, when more than 100 Afghani fighters that opened fire from high ground surrounding him and his Army unit."

Fortner will speak from the gazebo at Freedom Park following the procession.

A candlelight vigil is planned for Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. to honor and reflect on the lives of those lost in the terrorist attacks. Those remembered include the 3,000 people lost in the terrorist attacks, the 343 firefighters that lost their lives in the rescue, the first responders and thousands of families whose lives were transformed in the wake of the event.

China Lake Firefighter Phorn Sothisom shall make a return appearance as presenter for the candlelight vigil.

“Sothisom has strong feelings about the need to remember 9-11, so he considered it an honor when he was first asked become a vigil presenter in 2011,” according to the Exchange Club. “He returned by popular demand last year and again this year. Sothisom will lead this solemn and emotional event, which will conclude with the sounding of the firefighters’ ‘Last Call.’”

Among those participating in the parade will be Ridgecrest council members.

Councilman Jim Sanders said that both events are powerful reminders of Ridgecrest’s patriotism.

“It shows the respect that the city has toward our country,” Sanders said by phone on Tuesday. He added that both events also reflect that the city has not forgotten the tragic event.

“There are so many places in the country that have forgotten or moved on from the events of 9/11,” Sanders said.

Sanders said he was 19 and in Spain at the time when the attacks happened .

“It really was a scary moment at that time,” Sanders said. “I remember wanting to be back on U.S. soil.”

Councilwoman Lori Acton said the parade was a good way to remember 9/11 and honor those who sacrificed their lives. She recalled the first time she saw the Parade of 1,000 Flags.

“The first time I saw the parade, I stood there with my mouth open in amazement,” Acton said. “It is just breathtaking to see all those people marching down the street with flags.”

Acton said the event is a great way to commemorate the country’s men and women in uniform while appreciating the work of the first responders.

“I love that this city doesn’t forget what happened on that day,” Acton said. More importantly, she said, it should serve as reminder of not only 9/11 and the years that followed, but other tragic events like the bombing of Pearl Harbor that thrust the United States into World War II.

Page 3 of 3 - “Everyone knows where they were on 9/11,” Acton said.

Acton said this year the parade would be more personal for her because her husband is heading to Lemoore for another tour of service in the Navy.

“I’m probably going to cry more this year than any other time,” Acton said.

Acton added that the day to honor the lives of the first responders should go beyond one day a year.

“To me, first responders are the men and women on the front lines every day for people,” Acton said.